Growing and Sewing all things Floral

Some Elderflower Fizz on Fabulous Friday……..

by Karen B

“Get in touch with your inner hippy”

The hedgerows in Devon are full of the scent of Elderflower blooms, those magical mille fiori blossoms which speak of Summer and blue skies. Time to make Elderflower Champagne! It’s easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. Go on; get in touch with your inner hippy this weekend as you forage in the hedgerows. It won’t be long before those corks are popping!

ELDERFLOWER CHAMPAGNE

6-7 Elderflower heads in full bloom

1 gallon (8 pints) cold water

1 1/2lbs sugar

2 tblsp white wine vinegar

Juice of 1 lemon

METHOD

Squeeze the juice of the lemon, then cut the rind into quarters and place this with the Elderflowers in a large bowl.

Add the sugar and vinegar then pour over the cold water and stir until the sugar dissolves.

Sweden has a tradition of making the same kind of drink. Is this recipe have a alcohol content? The recipe is almost the same, one main difference is for the vinegar in it. It is said to help fight colds in the winter. You can drink it cold or warm. It a concentrated drink in Sweden that you delude with water.
The picture is beautiful of course. I like your label on the bottle. Have a great Mid-summer today!
Honey

Thank you Honey. I wonder if what you have seen in Sweden is a syrup? We have that here too and it can be added to cakes and drinks. The “champagne” is a light and refreshing Summer drink with no alcohol.
Happy Mid Summer to you too!
Karen.

You are correct Karen that what I am thinking of is a syrup. It is none alcholocic drink. I never heard of using it in cakes. That sounds like it would be delicious.This champange sounds good. I like the fact is none alcholic.
Happy Mid-summer to you too

Thanks so much Jan! I have a little bottling factory here in my kitchen today. The recipe was handed down to me by my Grandma, but I know lots of people make it here in England and Sweden. I would have thought you might have the plant there too….fingers crossed and thanks so much for the re-blog!
Karen.

I am a Cottage Gardener with a passion for Cornflowers. Poppies and Delphiniums. I grow and sell old-fashioned, often scented flowers from a little blue shed. I also run creative Workshops. Why not come and colour, stitch or craft yourself happy in my studio which is full of vintage treasures, haberdashery and treasured finds?